c3: Distress — Subdue Gyarados
After a full morning of Pokémon observation, Alex began to feel a bit restless. They had spent hours documenting the behavior of docile Pokémon mostly low-level Pidgey, Caterpie, and the occasional Bellsprout. Nothing posed a challenge.
Even Charmander had gotten bored. Alex had let him engage in light sparring with some of the wild Pokémon under supervision. The poor creatures didn't stand a chance Charmander had grown noticeably more agile and responsive since their first meeting last night.
There's nothing but beginner-level Pokémon around here, Alex thought. Why not go deeper into the forest? Maybe I'll find something rare something worthy of Garchomp's time.
He turned to the others. "Hey, why don't we explore a little deeper? There's nothing but weak Pokémon here. I heard that the deeper parts of the forest have stronger and rarer ones."
"Rare Pokémon?" Ash's eyes practically exploded with excitement. For a kid obsessed with catching them all even before officially starting his journey this was irresistible.
"What do you guys think?" Alex asked, looking around at the group.
"I'm in," Ash said immediately.
"No complaints here," Gary nodded, folding his arms.
"Fine," Mano added coldly, though the subtle shift in her expression revealed a spark of interest.
"I'll go too," Serena said with a slightly nervous smile. "But... you have to protect me, okay, Alex?"
Looking into Serena's wide, expectant eyes, something stirred in Alex. He gave her a reassuring nod.
"Don't worry, Serena. Your safety's my responsibility."
And with that, the group set off deeper into the heart of the forest.
As they ventured further, the light grew dimmer. Thick canopies of towering trees interlocked above them, filtering the sunlight into eerie green streaks. Roots crisscrossed the ground beneath their feet, and the air grew cooler. The deeper they walked, the more the cheerful chirping of Pidgey and the rustling of leaves were replaced by an unsettling silence.
Even Alex—armed with a system and powerful Pokémon—felt a sliver of unease. After all, these were still children, barely seven years old, wandering into the wilderness.
Serena clutched Alex's sleeve and whispered, "Maybe we should go back…"
Alex gave her a steady look. "It's okay, Serena. I promised to protect you."
"Thanks, Alex. I trust you," she said softly, releasing his sleeve but staying close.
After another thirty minutes of cautious walking, they stumbled upon the Kosna River, a large, fast-flowing river that curved through Pallet Town. Its waters shimmered with deep blues and silver as it rushed over rocks and tree roots, stretching like a ribbon into the distance.
"Whoa, look at that!" Ash said, running to the edge. "It's huge!"
"The Kosna River…" Gary mused, staring into the flowing water. "Grandpa once told me that a Legendary Pokémon was sighted here before."
"Really?" Ash gasped. "Which one?"
"Suicune," Gary said, his voice unusually solemn. "He said it was seen purifying the river after a strange pollution event."
"Suicune—the North Wind's embodiment!" Ash exclaimed.
Even Mano, ever expressionless, raised her eyebrows at the mention of the Legendary Beast.
"Yeah," Alex added, recalling details from what his system and Oak's notes had provided. "In Johto folklore, Suicune is one of the three resurrected beasts of Ecruteak City. It's said to possess the power to purify any source of water, no matter how polluted. It runs across water like the wind."
"That's incredible…" Serena breathed. "It must be beautiful."
Ash's eyes practically sparkled like stardust. "I want to see Suicune with my own eyes!"
Suddenly, the water surged unnaturally, bubbles forming in the center of the river. Everyone stepped back instinctively.
A massive shadow emerged from beneath the surface.
"W-what's that!?" Mano shouted.
"Everyone get back!" Alex ordered, stepping protectively in front of Serena.
The water erupted into a towering geyser and from within it, a Gyarados burst forth with a furious roar.
Alex thought of Suicune as described in Professor Oak's illustrated volumes and recorded manga accounts. Its elegant, azure-blue body shimmered like running water, adorned with white, diamond-shaped spots along its flank. A sleek, crystal-like crest crowned its head, flowing with two ethereal, white streamer-like ribbons that danced with the wind. Its whole form symbolized the harmony of water and air—graceful, swift, and untouchable.
Just imagining that legendary presence made Alex's heart pound. One day, he vowed silently, I'll earn Suicune's trust. I'll make it mine.
"Let's keep going," Alex said, eyes gleaming.
Suddenly, a tremendous splash erupted from the Kosna River. A massive serpentine shape surged out of the water with a deafening roar—Gyarados had emerged, its crimson eyes blazing with fury.
"It's a Gyarados!" Alex shouted. "Everyone, scatter!"
He grabbed Serena's wrist and pulled her back just as the massive Water/Flying-type launched itself onto the shoreline. Gary, Ash, and Mano stumbled backward, faces pale.
"Damn! How did we run into a Gyarados here?" Gary's voice cracked.
Gyarados let loose a thunderous Flamethrower, flames gushing from its jagged maw toward the children on the bank.
"There's no time to run… I have to fight!" Alex clenched his fist. "Go, Garchomp!"
"Shark!"
Garchomp burst from its Poké Ball in a blaze of power, roaring as it faced down the raging behemoth.
"Garchomp, use Dragon Breath!"
Garchomp opened his jaws and unleashed a swirling stream of bluish energy. The attack clashed violently with Flamethrower, erupting into a smoke cloud between them.
Infuriated that its attack had been blocked, Gyarados bellowed and fired a Hyper Beam the dreaded destructive energy beam known in manga lore for leveling buildings.
"Dodge and use Iron Head!"
Garchomp soared upward in an arc, avoiding the beam. With momentum, it slammed its reinforced skull into Gyarados's face, sending it crashing back into the water.
"Don't stop! Use Dragon Breath again!"
But Gyarados retaliated with Aqua Tail, smashing it into the river to produce a massive tidal wave. The attacks collided mid-air dragon energy against the surging wave—and the resulting blast sent shockwaves rippling across the riverside.
"Garchomp, now! Brick Break!"
With a mighty leap, Garchomp brought down a glowing claw, striking Gyarados's scaled body directly. The serpentine beast roared in pain.
"Follow up with Rock Slide!"
Massive boulders materialized in the air and hurtled toward Gyarados. The heavy impact left the Water-type dazed and weakened.
"This is it Poké Ball, go!"
Alex threw the Poké Ball with practiced precision. It struck Gyarados, drew it in with a flash of light, and dropped to the ground.
One shake… two… three…
Click!
The ball sealed shut.
Gyarados was caught.
Gary, Ash, Serena, and Mano stared, stunned, mouths agape.
"That was insane…" Gary finally whispered. "Alex… that's your Garchomp?"
Alex nodded calmly. "Yeah. But I'm trusting all of you please don't tell anyone."
No matter how much he trusted them, the truth was clear: a six-year-old having a fully trained Garchomp would be enough to trigger a full investigation by the Pokémon League. Even though they wouldn't uncover his system, it was better not to take risks.
Ash's eyes sparkled with awe. "Alex, you're incredible! You're seriously my idol!"
Alex shuddered slightly. "C-cool, thanks… but let's keep it chill, okay?"
"It's a good thing you were here," Serena said softly. "You saved all of us."
Gary stepped forward, still stunned. "But… when did you even get a Garchomp? How'd it get so strong? I've known you since we were babies!"
Alex thought for a beat, then replied with a straight face, "I found it collapsed near Route 1 months ago. It was badly injured. I took care of it… and eventually it chose me."
Even if the story was half-truth, it was believable enough to pass among kids.
"Whoa… that's lucky," Ash said, eyes wide, no trace of doubt.
"Thank you, Alex," Mano said quietly, her eyes locked on Garchomp. "I'll train hard. One day… I'll challenge you."
Alex caught the glint of determination in her eyes. It reminded him of Paul (Shinji) from the Sinnoh anime sharp, quiet, serious.
He smiled. "I'll be ready."
The sun had begun to dip behind the treetops.
"It's getting late," Alex said. "Let's head back."
The group nodded, still shell-shocked but safe. They crossed back through the woods, walking quietly until the familiar outlines of the summer camp came into view.
As they disappeared into the trees, a faint shimmer appeared atop the river.
A graceful, blue figure stood on the water's surface Suicune.
Its flowing mane rippled in the wind as it stared at the path Alex had taken.
A child with the power to command such a beast at this age… he may be the one who can change things…
Suicune's form flickered, then vanished in a swirl of mist.
The river ran silent once again.
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